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This mayor of Black River – an area described as “the epicenter” for the devastating storm – has shared the immense storm surges and widespread devastation caused by the disaster.

Reflecting on the traumatic ordeal, Richard Solomon described riding out the intense storm at an emergency response center.

“The entire town of Black River is in ruins,” he said. “The destruction is so severe that the prime minister designated this area as ground zero.”

Five individuals from the town are reported to have died, but Solomon noted hearing reports of additional fatalities that remain unconfirmed due to communication and transportation challenges.

“Storm Melissa came around eight in the morning and lasted for around several hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and torrential rainfall,” he explained.

“We experienced up to 16ft of water at the emergency operating centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were praying that it would not increase any further, because we were on the upper level, and frankly, when we saw the water rising, it was a terrifying moment for us.”

Solomon explained that the town, situated in the severely affected southwest parish of St Elizabeth, is without water and electricity, and most structures have had their roofing. An authority previously described the town as under water, with more than 500,000 inhabitants lacking electricity. A mudslide has blocked the primary routes of a nearby area, where streets have been turned to mud pits. Locals are now sweeping water from their homes and attempting to salvage their belongings.

Rescue efforts and damage assessments have proven extremely difficult because every one of the town’s transport and critical services such as fire, police, medical centers and supermarkets were “severely damaged,” notes the mayor.

He is now focused on working to assist the most vulnerable, while also coping with the personal impact of the disaster.

“My vehicle was completely submerged by water. The roofing went, so I do understand the suffering that persons are feeling, but what is a priority for me now is to concentrate on securing aid relief for the most vulnerable at this point,” he explains.

Solomon estimates that it will take millions of local currency to restore the community after Melissa’s annihilation. For now, he says, the main goal is removing debris from impassable roads, which have isolated the town.

“We are now trying to clear the major thoroughfares and secondary routes here so that we can get relief supplies in. The majority of our supermarkets, if not all, were severely affected so they won’t be able to provide supplies to persons who are in dire straits at this time,” he says.

National leadership has witnessed the damage personally, with an aerial tour of the area revealing the vast majority of buildings in the area had been lost.

“It is going to be a massive undertaking to rebuild Black River. But although it is damaged, we can vision a tomorrow of it emerging stronger and better,” he told local media.

“We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better,” he said.